TEACHERS MEMORIES
by Teachers of Hooker County, as indicated below
Entry T31 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society
Alida Densen Fisher Retirement at Scottsbuff,
Nebraska 1976 45 years of teaching. L to R - Ruth
Huddle, Ruth Stoughton, Alida Fisher and Fern Reigle
Teaching Career Of Alida Denson Fisher
I attended Hooker County High Scbool in
Mullen and graduated with a class of 28 in
1929. In those years one could take Normal
Training and pass State Teacher's Examina-
tion, getting a Third Grade Nebraska Ele-
mentary Teaching Certificate, good for 3
years renewable with a few hours of College
work. This I did and began my first year of
teaching in 1929 at $85 per month (which
seemed a lot then) in the Sam Musser school
in southwest Hooker County. I boarded with
Dewey and Myrtle Gragg. There was so much
snow on May 17, 1930 on our last day of
school, we were unable to have our school
picnic or go anywhere. My 2nd year I taught
20 miles south of Mullen in the Joe Payne
School. and my 3rd year was at Nels Simon-
son's school up the Loup River from my
home. I rode horseback 3 miles. My 4th and
last year in Hooker County was southeast of
Mullen in the Miller School. At this time, all
the rural schools in Hooker County were
under one school board of which John Motl
Sr. was the Director for a long time.
I taught 41 more years including the
following: south Cherry County, Arthur
County, Kimball in both rural and city - 9
years, Torrington, Wyoming - 8 years, Tryon,
Nebraska - 3 years, Scottsbluff City School
- 15 years. In 1976, after 45 years of teaching
I retired. A retirement Open House in May
1976 was held in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I
have many happy memories of my teaching
years and the many lovely pupils, parents,
and fellow teachers, I had the privilege of
association with.
by Alida Denson Fisher
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County Superintendent
In 1923 and 1924 as a County Superinten-
dent of Hooker County, I found the Patrons
and teachers desired that I visit their school.
Roads were not the best, therefore I tried the
easiest way of travel sometimes. Example: I
got on the passenger train 43 in the morning
at Mullen, then I would ask to be let off at
the Wier siding, west of Hecla. I then walked
across the valley to the school house, visited
Miss Canida and her pupils and the classes.
I would then return to the railroad in time to
flag the passenger train 44, and return to my
Mullen home. Today there are No passenger
trains 43 or 44 that pass through Mullen. No
Country Schools in Hooker County. No
country school teacher and No County
Superintendent. At this time there were some
20 rural one room country schools in the
county. Now all gone.
by Gussie Osborne
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A Career I Loved
I began my Normal Training in the Junior
year of High School in Mullen, 1932-33, and
finished the training in 1933-34 with an
excellent instructor, Helen Cubertson. There
was the requirement of student teaching in
the rural school and in the town school, all
grades. Upon graduation and having com-
pleted all the 17 Course of Study Exams with
a required average, I was granted a Third
Grade Teaching Certificate. I taught 4 years
in the rural school; Hardy, Cox, and High-
land. The Cox and Hardy schools were
discontinued for lack of students. I was
assigned to the Mullen Elementary 5th and
6th grades, one room. This was quite a
change, I didn't have to do my own janitor
chores, clean backboards, carry in fuel for the
wood - coal stoves or ride horseback over 3
miles. We had no phone, electricity and
mainly a ball and bat as playground equip-
ment. This and the teaching of all grades,
kindergarten through 8th grade for $50 a
month.
Throughout the years of teaching, I attend-
ed summer school sessions, off campus
courses and correspondence courses to qual-
ify for a B.S. Degree. I took a number of years
from teaching to raise our family, then
returned again to the Mullen Schools, teach-
ing in 5th and 6th, 3rd and 4th grades. The
last 8 years I taught Art in the Elementary,
1st thro' 12th. Three years of the Art program
was spent traveling to Coble, Cox, Simonson,
in South Cherry Co. and Seneca Schools to
teach Art. My traveling companion was
Mabell Cox that taught Music. We traveled
to each school once a week, leaving Mullen at
noon, eating our lunch on the way. We
traveled on an average of 1000 miles a month,
through any kind of weather.
I retired after 29 years of teaching and then
substituted in both Elementary and High
School for another 5 years. All of my teaching
was in the Mullen District. What greater or
better gift can we offer than to teach and
instruct our youth. I loved every day of it.
by Claudia Machlan Tompkins
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My Teaching Years
In 1929, I graduated from the Mullen High
School, without plans of what I was going to
do. I had taken Normal Training, but really
had not planned on teaching. Before schools
were to open in September, I received a call
from John Barent, telling me, they needed a
teacher and wondered if I would consider
teaching their school. I was pleased to be
asked, but was scared to death to make the
move, but accepted the position. In Septem-
ber, I started my new experiences with 13
students, all grades. I boarded with Eph
Hamptons. I received $80 a month, I thought
it was "big money" I was asked to teach this
school the next year but I was asked to teach
the Dr. Roth school, which I accepted because
I could board with my parents and save on
expenses. The wages had gone down so I was
teaching for $55 a month. I taught here 2
years.
During the summer sessions I attended
Wayne State College to ready for my next
school. I taught 3 terms in the David Sullivan
school which was in south Cherry County.
The first term I boarded with Pete Boyers
and the last two with A.K. Johnson's.
In 1936, I quit to get married. Then in 1944,
Mr. Motl of the Mullen Schools, asked if I
would teach at a Trailer School, (built by the
Fitzgeralds) in Hooker County, east of Kelso,
which I did for one term getting $145 a
month.
Having a baby on the way I ended my
teaching career, the career that I enjoyed very
much.
by Ruth Johnson Huddle
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My Years In Education
I completed my 8th grade education at the
Van Deusen School about 14 miles southwest
of Mullen and graduated from Mullen High
School in 1928 with a Third Grade Teacher's
Certificate from the State of Nebraska. My
first year of teaching was at the Hatch School
in south Hooker County.
In 1946, because of the need for teachers,
I took a home course for six college hours
from Peru State Teacher's College. I then
taught 2 years in the Trailer Schoolhouse in
the western part of Hooker County. I had all
grades kindergarten through the 8th except
for 2. I had 11 children including 5 of my own
children. I taught in this school the 2nd year
with 7 pupils because 2 graduated from the
8th grade and 2 moved away. All of our six
children attended Hooker County rural
schools and then graduated from the Mullen
High School.
by Gladys Furrow
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Teaching Experience
In 1931, I taught what was known as the
Church School, about 20 miles northeast of
Ashby, Nebraska in Cherry County. I stayed
the week days at the John Church family and
on the weekends my niece and I rode
horseback 8 miles to my brother's home,
Allan Kime. In 1932, I taught the Survey
School 35 miles north of Ashby. This was a
large school with some families moving in and
out of the district. I stayed with the Floyd
Downing family. In 1933-`34 I stayed with my
parents and taught the Dan Sears school and
rode horseback 4 miles. In 1935, I taught the
Big Creek School also in Cherry County. I
stayed with the Ben Mayhew family.
In 1960, I went back to teaching and my
first school was the Kenneth Phipps school
8 miles northeast of Whitman, Nebraska in
Grant County. In 1961-62-63, I taught the
James school northeast of Mullen in Cherry
County. I taught the Anderson school north
of Seneca, Nebraska in Cherry County in '64.
For the next 11 years from 1965-1975, I
taught at the Whitman Grade School. The
first 2 years there were three teachers and I
taught the 3-4-5 grades. Later the 7th and 8th
grades attended Hyannis school and I taught
4-5-6 grades.
by Harriet Kime Isom
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School Memories
I came to Mullen my Senior year of High
School. I had been attending the St. Agnes
Academy Boarding School my 10th and 11th
years. With this change, I did not have
enough professional training to get a teach-
er's certificate, so I went 12 weeks to summer
school, Chadron State Normal School and got
my Third Grade Teacher's Certificate, good
for 3 years.
I taught the Kennedy, Nebraska school for
$60 a month. I boarded with Agnes and Billy
Piercy, and they furnished me a horse to ride
to school. My 2nd day was an unforgettable
one. I had forgotten my key so we all had to
crawl through a window, I was able to raise.
A lot of fun till after lunch, when a car drove
up with a driver and the County Superinten-
dent, Edna Jackson. Very embarrassed, I
opened the window and explained my predic-
ament, she said she would come in through
the window. It was rather high and she was
rather stout, so I heaved a desk out the
window and she managed to crawl in, then we
all had a good laugh.
The next year I taught the Sears School,
also in Cherry County. Here I rode to the
school 5 miles, horseback, built a fire, took
the waterpail and crawled through 2 barbwire
fences, about 1/8 mile to a windmill to carry
water back for the school. We also gathered
cowchips as kindling for the coal stove. All
this for $60 a month. I would take my
monthly report, ride the horse several miles
to the homes of the 3 school board members
for their signatures to get my check or
warrant. A warrant was given if there was no
money in the District and it had to be held
until taxes were paid in November or May,
then hopefully, they would exchange for a
check.
In 1939, Lee and I rented the Stickley
place, southeastern Hooker County on the
Dismal River. Our children attended the
Rodewald School and where I taught in 1940.
In the spring of 1947, we moved onto a
place of our own, 8 miles south of Mullen. The
School District of Mullen, hired Lyle Benner
to take his children and our 2 boys to the
Mullen School. This was Hooker County's
First "Bus."
by Erma Wolfenden Colley
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Berniece Wadlow Reflects On
Changes In Teaching Policies
I attended the University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, Nebr. from 1925 to 1929 and came
to Mullen, Nebr. in the fall of 1929 to teach
Home Economics. My, how times have
changed from early '30s to mid '80s. A
married woman was not hired as a teacher,
she might get P.G. When I came to Mullen
to sign my contract I was informed that (1)
I would not smoke, (2) I would not drink
alcoholic beverages & (3) would not date the
high school boys. Teachers, men or women,
did not have their own house or apartment.
They roomed & boarded with a private
family.
My first year in Mullen I stayed with
Squire & Mrs. Crain (grandparents of Ruby
Simonson). They lived on Hiway 2 in the
home now known as the Albert Ericksen
Home. This brings one more comparison
from "then & now". We, teachers & students,
walked to school across town or a block away.
Also all females wore dresses, to our knees,
& silk stockings, regardless of the weather.
Today a large percent of teachers and
students drive to school, several blocks or
one.
I taught 3 years, found that special man
Walter Wadlow & we were married in May
1932. No teaching now since I had joined the
married women group.
In the spring of 1943 the School Board ask
me to renew my certificate & join the Mullen
faculty in the fall. I attended the Uni. of
Nebr. for 8 weeks & resumed teaching during
the years 1943-1946, while Walter served in
the Armed Forces during World War II. I
then took time off, until 1951, to stay home
& take care of our daughter.
Once more I went back to teaching from
1951 to 1954. Howard Bruner was Supt at the
time. Busses had been put into use to bring
the country students to town for school. The
Board felt a "Hot Lunch" program was
needed. Mr. Bruner ask me to give up the
class room & help plan & set up the lunch
room & supervise its operation during the
school years. I helped in the lunch room for
6 years. The efficient helpers, I remember,
during the first years were Nadyne Carlson,
Ruth Boyer, Ruth Huddle & Bessie Bradley.
In 1961 Kitty Simonson took over the
supervision of the lunch room. I could not
keep track of the helpers after that.
I once more returned to the class room
during the years 1961 to 1964. I then retired
from teaching to work with Walter in the
County Clerk's Office until 1979 when we
both retired from active employment.
I have many friends, many who were my
students, here in Mullen & we really enjoy
talking about the days when we were at the
Mullen High School together. We get a
chuckle comparing "School Days" "then &
now".
by L. Berniece (Worrell) Wadlow
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Thirty-Three Years Of Teaching
Ruth was graduated from Hooker County
High School in May of 1928. She was issued
a Third Grade Certificate after finishing the
Normal Training course and passing 17 State
Teachers tests. Her first school was called the
Barnebey or Ginkens School four miles south
of Mullen. Her pupils were from the Lay,
Bartholomew and Clardy families.
In 1929, Ruth was teaching the Lake
School in District 4, ten miles southwest of
Mullen. The families were Crain, Lake,
Levine, Arends and Fairchild children. She
boarded and roomed with the Frank Lake
family for four years.
In 1933, Ruth was back in District #2 at the
Van Deusen School. She had children of the
VanDeusen's, Boyce, Collins and Erney. The
fall of 1947 found Ruth in District #4 at the
Lake School again. Pupils were from Kraye
and Renfro families.
After the '49 blizzard, Ruth decided not to
teach any more in rural schools and applied
for a position in the Mullen Grade School.
She was accepted and taught first grade the
first two years and the remaining 25 years in
second grade. She enjoyed her teaching years
and had many interesting and enjoyable
times with her pupils and their parents.
Ruth's own favorite teacher was Edith Mar-
tin, who also taught in District #4 when Ruth
was a pupil there.
by Ruth Stoughton
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36 Years Of Teaching
Arlene S. Jones began two years teaching
in rural schools near Plainview, Nebraska
after taking Normal Training Course in High
School and passing the required examina-
tions.
After receiving Bachelor of Arts Degree
from Wayne State College, Nebraska she
taught in Allen, Randolph, and St. Paul,
Nebraska High School before moving to
Mullen with husband Laurence, who taught
Vocational Agriculture.
Together with teaching at Seneca and
Mullen, the total years credited by the State
Retirement amounted to 36 years. Since
retiring in May 1972, Arlene has traveled
widely. She is a member of Local, State and
National Retired Teachers Mullen Area
Group.
by Arlene Jones
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My Teaching Years
I, Mildred Porath, having been born and
raised at Eddyville, Nebraska, I took my
college work at Kearney State College star-
ting the summer after High School gradua-
tion. I continued through that winter term
and the following summer.
My first teaching was in District 122 north
of Eddyville where I could drive a horse and
buggy from my home. Here I taught for two
years for a salary of $80 per month, my 2nd
year for $70 and the third for $50. This was
during the depression and the school board
could not pay the same and had to decrease
the monthly salary.
The third year of teaching, 1934, I went to
Buffalo County at Redwing School District
#71 north of Miller, Nebraska.
Nineteen years later - after marriage, four
children, and a move from southern Custer
County to Seneca, Nebraska, a need arose
and I went back to summer school and taught
District #11 south of Seneca for years 1953-
54 and 1954-55. The fall of 1955, I entered
employ of Hooker County Public Schools as
the third grade teacher. Here I remained
until fall of 1966 when I taught the Gier
school only two miles south of our ranch
home. This was a ward school of the Hooker
County School System.
During my teaching years, I attended
summer school at Kearney State College,
many summers and I took a few correspon-
dence and off campus classes. Thus I earned
my Bachelor of Arts degree in summer of
1962. My past graduate work included
courses at Colorado State University at Fort
Collins, and University of Northern Colorado
at Greeley, and Kearney State, Nebraska.
The fall of 1967, I was at home helping
remodel the kitchen when I was asked to
come to Dunning, Nebraska to teach Kinder-
garten the second semester. After much
consideration I consented and went back into
the schoolroom on January 15, 1968. Later
that spring, I was offered 3rd grade in the
Dunning School for the term of 1968-69. I
remained for six years and from there I
retired in May 1974.
I missed the association with fellow teach-
ers after retirement, so became a charter
member of the Mullen Area Retired Teachers
Association when it was formed.
by Mildred Porath
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Schools I Taught
I graduated in 1943 from McPherson
County High School and went to Scotts Bluff
County during the summer where I applied
for a school. It was called "Hull" located in
the southwest corner of the county. There
were eleven students in six grades. When
school was out, I returned to Mullen to my
parents home.
I applied for the McPherson School located
southeast of Mullen in the summer of 1944
and moved to the Reigle Home, where I was
to stay in early September. There were only
three students from Kemps, Reigles, and
Peils, in three grades. When Christmas time
came, Marion Pearman, who was teaching
the Daggett School further to the southeast,
and myself combined our schools to present
our Christmas Program. It was held at her
school since she had the most students.
In March of '45, the Wells family moved
into the community and that added three
more students in three different grades.
The War ended during the summer of '45
and Bink, my husband would be coming
home so I did not apply for a school, however
a short time before school opened, I was
contacted by the director of the school
District, Mr. Motl, and asked me to teach the
Furrow School until a permanent teacher
could be obtained. I signed a contract with
Christmas as a cutoff date. A larger "Trailer
schoolhouse" was moved to the location of a
small "trailer school" which was located
between the Erny and Furrow families. I was
to live in the smaller trailer and move the
school furniture and supplies into the larger
one. It caused a delay of school opening due
to all the necessary transferring from one
trailer school to the other.
Bink came home in October and joined me
at the trailer. After holding a Christmas
Program we moved from the trailer. When
school commenced after Christmas vacation,
Aimee Hodges was the teacher.
by Thelma Bassett Pearman
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I Began Teaching in 1918-19
I, Sara French Ginkens, began my teaching
at the French School one or two miles south
of Heelan Frank Cox, or later known as Ida
Evans place. I had 7 pupils. I stayed with my
folks, Albert and Caroline French, who lived
on their homestead about 1 mile west, I
walked to school from there.
1919- 1921, I taught the Hardy School,
located just east of Walter Hardy or Kenneth
Jenkins place as it was known and presently,
Jerry Warren's. I boarded with Walter Har-
dys in bad weather but rode a horse back and
forth from my folks which was 4 or 5 miles.
They lived where Roger French lives now.
In 1921 and `22 I taught the Berwyn school,
9 miles east of Broken Bow, Nebraska. I
taught grades 1-4th.
My next school was the McPherson school
in 1922 and '23, located west of the Meidell
place which is now owned by Glen Gier, the
school was about 2 miles away. I stayed at my
parents home and rode a horse back and
forth, a distance of about 2 or 3 miles. I had
4 pupils or more that year.
The Tschauder School, I taught in 1923-24,
located just south of Bink Pearmans. I was
married at this time and drove in a buggy and
picked up a pupil on the way, I had 5
students. This drive was about 3 miles to
school.
After about 20 years of raising a family of
four children, I did enter teaching a year,
1945-46. This again was the McPherson
School, same location as in 1922 but a
different schoolhouse as the other was de-
stroyed by a tornado in about '34. I had six
pupils. I again stayed with my folks, Monday
through Friday and drove back to my home
in Mullen, on weekends. I did ride a horse to
school but drove our car to Mullen. I can't
remember what my wages were in previous
years but I do this last year of teaching,
because the $1000 for the nine months I
received, was used to buy our house, $900.
Seems like I taught for about $50 a month
at first.
by Sara French Ginkens
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25 Years Of Teaching
The Revere School in northwest part of
Hooker County, was the first school Violet
Mathews Kraye taught. Her pupils were
Ralph, Evelyn, Berniece, and Mary Evers;
Agnes and Julian Herncall and Irene; John
and Mary Smith.
For the next twenty-five successive years
she taught schools in Hooker, Sioux and
Cherry Counties. Twelve of those years were
in the Mullen Elementary School.
by Violet Mathews Kraye
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Memoirs Of Teaching Days In Mullen
I, Kathryn Sweeney, had always planned
to be a school teacher. I wanted to help mold
children's lives and guide them in many
lessons, especially help them become good
honest citizens and have a full and eventful
life in society.
After acquiring the necessary degree and
teaching certificate I was given a contract to
teach in the Mullen, Nebr. Elementary
School, grades three and four for a nine
months term beginning in the fall of 1943.
I had great helpers, especially a three
member school board and a super principal,
Gay Runquist. One who always had time to
listen and give valuable assistance to a
beginning teacher.
I had super Co-workers, several are still
residents of the Mullen Community, Mabell
Cox, Claudia Tompkins, Berniece Wadlow,
Wilamene Gerber and Arlene Jones. I am
sure some of these were not too sure of
Mabell's and my antics.
The patrons of the students I had were so
great. I know no other town can brag nor
compare with the people of Mullen.
I acquired many jobs other than being a
classroom teacher. Some of these were coach-
ing the grade school vollyball team, sponso-
ring the Pep Club consisting of girls grades
four through eight, also being responsible for
an assembly program and doing the hall
bulletin board at least once a year. Even
helping with Eighth Grade Graduation.
Each year near the end of the term we had
a "Fun Day" consisting of a cipher down,
spelling contest, track meet and a declamato-
ry contest. Each teacher and parent saw
future prominent citizens who had much
ability to make any community they were a
part of a fantastic place.
As time passed Mullen kept progressing.
We gave up going to the Halsey Reserve for
swimming lessons as the great "Mullenites"
decided to build a pool of their own and we
could have pool fun right here.
I was Secretary of the Hooker County High
School Board, a position that came with the
job of County Superintendent when the
football field was acquired. Dr. Skinner, the
high school superintendent had visions of a
beautiful amphitheater with a football, soft-
ball field and any other activities that could
be performed out of doors. No magic wand
transformed this field, it was students who
were willing to spend long hours and much
back bending to plant trees after Peter
Kiewit and Company leveled and prepared
the ground.
Pavement and a superb sewer project
replaced the sandy, murky grade we called
streets. No more slipping and sliding on a
rainy day to get into the grade school. Even
transportation changed, parents so gracious-
ly took students to out of town activities
without reimbursement. Students living in
the country came to town on Monday morn-
ing and remained until Friday after school.
Finally roads improved and school buses let
families remain in their country homes, a car
became a must. The railroad provided four
passenger trains a day, giving people a chance
to spend a day shopping in Lincoln or Omaha,
Neb. One could leave Mullen late at night and
could return home in the wee hours of dawn.
The so called "World War II Baby Boom-
ers" caused a normal classroom to be called
average if it contained thirty to forty-six
students. This brought about departmental-
ized classes and the placing of grades seven
& eight into a six year high school.
Outstanding students gave our school
much recognition. I believe Mullen is the only
community in the state that can claim three
State Spelling champions, sponsored by the
Omaha World Herald State speech winners'
one act play awards, band awards from music
contests and "All State contests" held in
Lincoln both in vocal and instrumental
events. Athletic honors came to our school
through wrestling, football and basketball as
well as several other events. We were the
home of State Wrestling Champions during
the years of the late sixties.
In the future we will see progress being
made, honors claimed and I am sure we will
taste sorrow just as we have in the past. I will
always be proud that I have been a teacher
in the first school district in the state to have
combined its districts into one district to
create a Class I District.
by Kathryn Sweeney
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A Teacher's Meditation
When the tasks of the school day are ended
And the last little overshoe on,
When I've answered their sweet "Good Night, Teacher",
And the last smiling youngster is gone,
Then I sit by my desk in the gloaming
And wonder for good or for ill,
What I have given these youngsters
In their climb up life's toilsome old hill.
Have I shown them the way to be happy
By teaching them how to be kind?
Have I taught them the power over matter
Which is theirs by control of the mind?
Have I always been patient and thoughtful
Of their feelings, both in work or in play,
Knowing well that they'll always remember
The hurt which I give them today?
Am I making their school days so pleasant
That they'll live them through life o'er and o'er?
Is the work I present so entrancing
That they always are eager for more?
School days should be life at its sweetest;
Can I, if I spell this best part,
Even hope when I meet them tomorrow,
That I'll find a safe place in their hearts?
Have I taught them the beauties of nature
And of common things seen everyday?
Do they see from their window a picture?
Do they know what the meadow larks say?
Do they see in "The Sower" their father,
And the beauty and grandeur of toil?
Do they love this old Earth, for its feeding
The multitude out of its soil?
Have I taught them to honor a duty?
Is truth both their shield and their sword?
Fighting dragons of lies and deception
And slaying them all with a word?
Do they know that a prize without honor,
Will bring greater shame than defeat;
That defeat, to a man who has honor,
Will always be tinctured with sweet?
To the teachers the burden is heavy
These children look up to us for the light.
We are molding young lives in the making
God help us to mold them aright.
For the day when they'll be young men and women
Doing undreamed of tasks, will fly by.
Then what will these children be thinking
Of the little old woman that's I?
by Nellie M Feddersen
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Maypole Dance
